A GROUP formed to absorb the impact of the closure of the Peugeot plant in Ryton wants questions answered by the French car giant.

The Peugeot Partnership, made up of local authorities, the private sector and other agencies, says the company needs to supply it with better information so it can soften the blow for workers and suppliers when the plant closes next year.

Brian Woods-Scawen, who chairs the group, said some of the information they had been given regarding the region's car part suppliers was inadequate.

He said: "While we have had fruitful meetings with Peugeot it is imperative that the company does its utmost to help us in every regard.

"The list of companies which supply the plant, both in terms of physical products and services, was just a list of names and we are having to undertake a great deal of work to find additional information."

"That used up valuable manpower and time which could be put to better use."